Results mean everything

The Echo is to be congratulated on its recent campaign about litter and it seemed there was an unanimous message coming through that standards had to improve, with various constructive measures and opinions being included in several editions of the newspaper.

The council workers too have been busy, with a dedicated full-time staff doing their best and a lot more besides, to oversee the situation.

And a variety of groups have also become involved in this litter campaign including individual residents, students and residents’ associations. Organisations funded by the council to run the Community Clean-ups in St Michael’s ward, for example, have often mentioned the great attitude of schoolchildren from their youth centres or nearby schools, hoping to make a positive difference by removing litter from the streets and Backhouse Park.

I have no doubt this will apply to other wards throughout the city.

I was therefore very surprised when the Echo went from a clear message of what can done to help with the issue that most concerns residents of the City, to Richard Ord (Echo Opinion December 12) stating that “Results aren’t everything”.

And all because my colleague, Cou Robert Oliver, had suggested a trial period for a private firm to work with the council’s enforcement officers in an attempt to fine more offenders who act without any concern for others.

Mention the word private to some people and the shutters go down without even considering it may be worth looking at, and to date, like Richard Ord, the current Labour-controlled Council in Sunderland will not entertain this constructive suggestion, even though the more open-minded Labourrun Council of Liverpool does.

I believe that the majority of Sunderland residents would welcome an increase in the number of fines that hopefully would then act as a deterrent to offenders who leave their rubbish in our back lanes, parks and streets.

If engaging a private firm does not work after an agreed period then at least an effort has been made.

But who knows it might just, especially if a constructive working relationship can be created with the council from the outset.

Discussion on how to deal with litter, fly-tipping, dog control requires an open mind about any suggestion.

And unlike Richard Ord, when it comes to this massively important issue I am of opinion that results are indeed everything.

Coun Michael Dixon, (Conservative) St Michael’s Ward